Sad Story!

[leonanc]

I have a sad story to tell, There is a 2 year old miniature Pinto that is not living in fair to the horse conditions. I found out tonight by talking to one of the owners that this little guy is being kept on a chain, (red flag from the get go). He is eating grass and apple's(not sure if they just fall to the ground or what). His owners have not kept up on any shots( Only shots are from when he was a baby, by origonal owner). And this poor guy has never seen a farrier. His one owner (a truck driver) told me he keeps his hooves wore down by being outside all the time. Let me tell you when I got of the phone I was almost into tears. I want so bad to save this guy, and bring him home, but I have a problem with them wanting 450.00 dollars for him. Any body have any idea's for a fund raiser? I am going to go look at him as soon as I can, find out just what kind of shape he is in, almost scared to, I would hate to explode right there!

[twnpnds]

Go and see this little guy before jumping to conclusions. I don't believe in keeping any animal chained 24/7 and it sounds like he is lacking proper care. But he might not be in that bad of shape. If he is here's a few suggestions I have. One is to try and get his price down by saying he is going to need farrier work, vet care, coggins test, etc. You could also see if they will accept payments. If he is in bad shape keep your cool. I know it's hard to do but losing it will not help this poor little fellow. Say the wrong thing and you could find yourself in heaps of trouble and you will never have a chance to help him. Think before speaking. This would be the time to call the humane society and report the abuse. I wish you the best of luck and I do hope he is ok.

[leonanc]

twpnds, Thanks for the advice! And yes I know to keep my cool and to think before I speak...LOL I also do plan on going out and seeing him, and seeing what kind of shape he is in. I hope he is better looking shape than he sounds. I also plan to check his little feet out. And my main concern is how well behaved he is. I also plan on letting the owner know that 450. for a horse that has had no vet care, and no hoof care is a little steep, seeing I have no idea what and how much vet care he is going to need. And that he is going to have to be checked for worms, and coggins. And hooves checked for thrush and/or hoof rot , or anything else that might make him lame. But thanks again for the advice and I will let you know how it gose.

[Golden Girl]

I would just like to express how wonderful you are for wanting to help this little mini. I would want to do the same thing. Hopefully you can get the price down, and come up with the cash, say $200.....

Tip: When I here of these situations and want to rescue an animal, I take cash in hand (for the seller to see that a sale is possible) & a trailer, like I am ready to take the animal home. Then like twnpnds said, start pointing out all the expenses that you will incur in getting the little horse in acceptable shape in your eyes This works most of the time if the seller is really wanting to get out of an uncomfortable situation. Remember to 'keep your cool'!

Good Luck! Keep us posted.

[leonanc]

I just spoke to the wife, and she says he is a sweetheart to be near(so now that I know I can get close to him that helps) She is asking 450. for him but is thinking about takeing less. I am going to offer 300.00 for him. Will have cash in hand tomarrow, and he is small enough and close enough to home to bring him home in our car. Going out there tonight to look at him. I will post how he is when I get back. His main diet has been the appples and grass once in a while she gives him sweet feed. Can you believe she was going to use him for stud!

[risingrainbow]

This makes me think about a yearling that I wanted to help a few years back. She looked terrible, was potty and ribby, feet were long and she had bite marks all over her from being driven away by the other horses. I tried hard to be diplomatic but the seller took offense when I suggested maybe a little lower price would be in order. I swear, I was diplomatic. She went off on me big time and I was unable to buy the filly. So please, be very cautious about what may be obvious to you as shortcomings in the horse's care. Those problems may not be so obvious to them and people tend to get offended because their character is being questioned. Sounds to me if this woman says she is a real sweety, she's just ignorant, not uncaring, and those are the folks that can get easily offended. Walk softly...............

[leonanc]

you right risingrainbow, I do have to tred with caution because I realy don't think they are (how can I put this so it dosen't sound mean)Mentaly Disabled. I realy don't think anyone took the time to explain to them the propper care needed for these horses. She (the wife) did not know they even needed a dewormer schedual through out the year. I did in a very kind way explain to her that I had a problem with paying 450.00 for him, knowing I was going to need to provide him with Lord only knows what vet care. And that with haveing another horse on the property he was going to need with out a doubt be checked by a vet. She told me that she would need to talk to her 11 year old to see if she would come down on the price. Who is the Adualt here, the mother bought him. Any ways thanks so much for the advice, I have thought about this poor boy all last night, could not sleep i want so bad to bring him home.